Williams: Bottas deserves to win with us

Claire Williams says she would be disappointed if Valtteri Bottas's maiden Formula 1 grand prix win came with any other team.

The Finn, who made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013, has scored nine podiums but failed to reach the top step in 73 attempts.

Bottas has been linked with a move to Renault, but is expected to re-sign for Williams next season alongside rookie Lance Stroll.

He has finished ahead of his team-mate in every F1 season he has contested and is on course to beat Felipe Massa for a third year in a row.

"As I keep saying to him, I can't wait to give him a car that he can win a race in," deputy team principal Williams told Autosport.

"He started his career with us, he has given us a lot of his time, he's stuck by us and he's been loyal to the team in good times and bad.

"So I want Williams to be the team that gives him his first race win - that is the objective at the moment.

"He has been strong this year, but he always is.

"You know that when he gets in that car, closes his visor, and goes out on track, he's always going to deliver.

"He's so calm and smooth.

"It's been a big year for Valtteri as well, he's done a good job, he's delivered a lot of points for the team, he's really dependable."

Speculation linking Bottas to Ferrari was rife last year but Williams believes her driver has used that experience to cope with rumours this term.

"The speculation around Ferrari last year was a big lesson for him to learn how you have to manage when you are a driver with the talent he has, as there are always going to be rumours and speculation about you," she said.

"You have to be able to separate that from your duties that you have to the team that pays your wages and the responsibility you have to the people back at the factory.

"He has done that, he does a great job and I believe he learned a lot from last year's situation that he has managed to draw on this year."